Ambient situation awareness system and method for vehicles

ABSTRACT

Methods and devices for situation awareness facilitation for a vehicle driver are provided. A method includes receiving a first acoustic signal from outside a vehicle that the driver is in and converting the first acoustic signal into a first acoustic electronic signal; sending the first acoustic electronic signal to a processor; matching the first acoustic electronic signal by the processor to stored reference electronic signals; and sending an acoustic message associated with a matched reference electronic signal to a speaker in the cab of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/074,096 filed 19 Jun. 2008. The disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for vehiclesituation awareness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Detection of sirens is discussed by a number of works.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,555 describes: “A siren detection system[controlling] the lights at an intersection to direct traffic [to]permit an emergency vehicle to travel through the intersectionunimpeded. The system determines the frequency of the sound emanatingfrom a siren carried by the emergency vehicle by counting pulses thatindicate the frequency of the sound, by determining the elapsed timenecessary to count a selected number of pulses, and by utilizing theelapsed time and number of pulses counted to determine the frequency ofsound emitted by the siren.”

A similar idea is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,980,125:

“A warning light system for a traffic intersection for alertingpedestrians and operators of passenger vehicles to the approach of anemergency vehicle. The warning light system is activated only by soundsin the range of frequencies which are emitted by the siren of anemergency vehicle. The warning light system has a warning light assemblyhaving a control unit, and also has an audio sensor unit. The warninglight assembly has a blue light and a white light, which flashalternately and repeatedly, after receipt of an audio signal by theaudio sensor unit from the siren of an emergency vehicle, and processingof that signal by the control unit. The lights of the warning lightassembly continuously flash until the sound emitted from the siren is nolonger detectable by the audio sensor.”

US patent application US 2005/0074131 A1 describes: “A sound processingsystem for use in an automotive vehicle of the type which includes atleast one door and at least one door-lock comprises at least one soundsensor coupled to the vehicle for receiving a sound external to thevehicle, an alert generator for notifying an occupant of the vehiclewhen the external sound is an emergency signal, and a door controlmodule coupled to at least one door-lock for unlocking at least onedoor.”

The above art (except US 2005/0074131 A1) does not suggest how to alerta driver of a vehicle of the presence of an approaching siren (e.g. froman emergency vehicle); or how to alert a driver of a vehicle of thepresence of a different sound generated in the vicinity of the car, suchas a car horn, or any sound which could be classified with more generalparameters, such as a sudden onset sound (or “acute sound”).

This problem is particularly pertinent when drivers are listening toloud music or communications systems such as CB radios, or whenoperating their vehicle's ventilation system at high fan speeds, any ofwhich may mask any warning sounds in the ambient environment.

US patent application US 2005/0074131 does not teach a method todetermine the sound level within a vehicle, nor determine the degree ofacoustic isolation of the internal vehicle cabin. The present inventionadds this functionality so that the driver alert can be modified tomaximize detection and intelligibility of the warning alert.Furthermore, the present invention enables the location of an externalsound source (e.g. siren) to be determined by detecting the strength ofthe detected sound in different ambient sound microphones around thevehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method to detectmalfunction of a vehicle subsystem or vehicle accessory (such as amalfunctioning brake caliper on a passenger vehicle or a malfunctioningrotor blade(s) on a combine-harvester). Furthermore, the related artdoes not teach a method or system to detect a variety of soundcharacteristics. The system of the present invention is directed todetecting at least one of the following examples of “signature sounds”:sirens, car horns, “impulsive” sound with a rapid onset time (or “onsetrate” e.g. change in sound pressure level of greater than approximately10 dB per second), sound with a rapid offset stopping time (e.g. greaterthan approximately 10 dB per second), and sound with a sudden change intonal quality (e.g. a shift in the spectral kurtosis of a sound, orsudden change in frequency and level of spectral centroid).

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a vehicle situationawareness device comprising: a notification device, where thenotification device is configured to emit a first signal; a microphone,where the microphone is configured to measure a second signal, where thesecond signal is a measurement of at least a first portion of an ambientacoustic signal; and a processor, where at least one sonic signature isidentified from at least a second portion of the second signal, andwhere when the at least one sonic signature is identified an emit signalis sent to the notification device to emit the first signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of present invention will become more fullyunderstood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle ambient sound monitoring system (VASM) inaccordance with at least one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of at least one VASM in accordance with atleast one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates at least one exemplary embodiment of the present VASMinvention depicting a method to inform the vehicle driver of a detectedsound signature in the ambient environment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the Active Noise Reduction(ANR) system; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the spectrum Doppler shift of an identified sonicsignature spectrum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following description of exemplary embodiment(s) is merelyillustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Processes, techniques, apparatus, and materials as known by one ofordinary skill in the art may not be discussed in detail but areintended to be part of the enabling description where appropriate. Forexample specific materials may not be listed for achieving each of thetargeted properties discussed, however one of ordinary skill would beable, without undo experimentation, to determine the materials neededgiven the enabling disclosure herein.

Additionally, exemplary embodiments can be used with digital andnon-digital acoustic systems. Additionally various receivers andmicrophones can be used, for example MEMs transducers, diaphragmtransducers, for example Knowles' FG and EG series transducers.

The following description of exemplary embodiment(s) is merelyillustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to or can be operatively used onvarious vehicles, such as tractors; bulldozers; automobiles; buses;aircraft; and also motorcycle helmets.

Processes, techniques, apparatus, and materials as known by one ofordinary skill in the art may not be discussed in detail but areintended to be part of the enabling description where appropriate. Forexample specific computer code may not be listed for achieving each ofthe steps discussed, however one of ordinary skill would be able,without undo experimentation, to write such code given the enablingdisclosure herein. Such code is intended to fall within the scope of atleast one exemplary embodiment.

Notice that similar reference numerals and letters refer to similaritems in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in onefigure, it may not be discussed or further defined in the followingfigures.

Note that various sonic signature identification methods can be used forexample application Ser. Nos. 12/035,873 and 11/966,457, the disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the Vehicle ambient soundmonitoring system (VASM). In this configuration, at least one AmbientSound Microphone (ASM) 110 112, 113 are mounted on the exterior of thevehicle 104 and configured to detect sound around the vehicle 104. Thesemicrophones can be highly directional, using passive acousticbeam-forming technology (such as “shot-gun” microphones, familiar tothose skilled in the art), or alternatively may use active beam-formingtechniques using an array of at least three microphones. This enablesthe direction (or bearing) of a sound source to be determined. Themicrophones can be transducer microphones such as Knowles MR seriesweather proof microphones, WP series, TP series, FB series, and otherseries microphones or other acoustic energy pickup devices.

At least one exemplary embodiment of the VASM system 114 comprises thehardware components depicted in FIG. 2. The VASM detects “signaturesounds” with the ASMs 110, 112 (e.g., 202, 206). Examples of “signaturesounds” are: —sirens; —car horns; —“impulsive” sound with a rapid onsettime (or “onset rate” e.g. change in sound pressure level of greaterthan approximately 10 dB per second); —sound with a rapid offsetstopping time (e.g. greater than 10 dB per second); —sound with a suddenchange in tonal quality (e.g. a shift in the spectral kurtosis of asound, as described in FIG. 4); —sound with a rapid slewing(escalation/de-escalation) in frequency, as exemplified by the wailsetting on U.S. sirens; —motorcycle engines.

The VASM compares at least one predetermined feature with at least onemeasured feature of at least one ASM signal. When the measured ASM soundcharacteristic substantially matches (e.g., within +/−5% of the FFTspectrum with a time increment dt) the at least one predeterminedfeature, for example the VASM system can notify the vehicle driver usingat least one of the following non-limiting exemplary alerts: —a visualalert using visual display 106, e.g. a flashing light or text message,which in one exemplary embodiment is projected on to the windscreen ofthe vehicle, on to a combiner glass on the upper dashboard, or on to thevisor panel of a helmet (i.e., a “head-up” display; —a haptic alert(tactile display) which imparts a distinct, readily detectablehigh-frequency vibration to the body of the driver, via one or morevibro-tactile transducers mounted in the seat pan or back, within thesteering wheel rim, on the foot pedals, or in the internal cushioning orchin strap of a motorcycle helmet; —a sound alert (i.e. “auditorydisplay”) using an internal loudspeaker 108 to generate a sound in thevehicle cabin; or in another exemplary embodiment, the sound alert maybe reproduced to the vehicle driver using an earphone device. In oneexemplary embodiment, the alert is a reproduction of the ASM microphonesignal that is used to detect the signature sound. In anotherembodiment, the auditory alert is a pre-recorded voice or non-voicemessage.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least twoloudspeakers are used, each being positioned to bias its output to oneear or the other, and the level and/or phasing of the alert signal thatis sent to each loudspeaker is automatically adjusted by the VASM tofacilitate the localization of the sound source in the ambientenvironment using spatial sound cues (in one exemplary embodiment, thealert signal may also have a different relative phase in eachloudspeaker).

The internal microphone sensor 116 is configured to detect the soundpressure level (SPL) in decibels and (optionally) the sound spectralprofile within the vehicle cabin (or helmet). If the internal cabin SPLis equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (which in oneexemplary embodiment is approximately 80 dB), then the reproduction SPLlevel of the sound alert, i.e., the “signal,” is increased so that it isreproduced at a level greater than the interior cabin SPL, i.e., the“noise,” by a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio to insure reliable andrapid detection by the driver. It will be obvious to one having ordinaryskill in the art that the signal-to-noise ratio can be adjusted toaccommodate particular vehicles and particular hearing abilities ofindividual drivers.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the degree ofacoustic isolation of the internal vehicle cabin (or helmet) isdetermined using at least one internal microphone 116 and at least oneambient microphone 112. The acoustic isolation is determined byanalyzing the electronic cross correlation, or alternatively thecoherence, between the at least one internal microphone and the at leastone ambient microphone. If the absolute correlation or coherence is lessthan a predetermined threshold, then the cabin is determined to beacoustically isolated. Other methods to determined the degree ofacoustic isolation of the interior vehicle cabin may also be used, suchas detecting the status of the vehicle windows, doors, and ventilationsystem, and comparing this status with a predetermined database, e.g. ifall windows, doors, and ventilation vents are closed, then the acousticisolation status may be set to “high”, or a corresponding numericalvalue (e.g. 20 dB).

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary hardware assembly for the present VASMinvention. The assembly comprises the following components: at least oneASM 202, 206, a signal of which is converted to a digital signal via theAnalog to Digital Converter (ADC) units; at least one internalmicrophone 204 to detect sound on the inside of the vehicle (ormotorcycle helmet); a signal processing unit 214; computer readablememory 212; power supply 208; visual display unit 216; and at least oneinternal loudspeaker unit 210, which receives an analog signal that hasbeen converted via a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC).

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the present VASM inventiondepicting a method to inform the vehicle driver of a detected soundsignature in the ambient environment.

The method comprises the following steps: accumulating an input ASMbuffer of digital audio samples representing the signal from at leastone ASM, step 302. At step 303, OPTIONALLY reducing the level of thevehicle engine noise; wind-noise (i.e. air turbulence generated by thecar and microphone); chassis-propagation noise (noise generated by tirefriction and suspension emissions) in the ASM using an Active NoiseReduction (ANR) system. Step 303 is described in FIG. 4. In this exampleembodiment, the ANR subtracts a filtered and time-shifted referencesignal (which in one exemplary embodiment, is a signal from a microphonenear the vehicle engine, at step 301), from the ASM signal (step 302).Such ANR systems are familiar to those skilled in the art. In oneexemplary embodiment, the filter is an adaptive filter updated accordingto the Least Means Square (LMS) algorithm. The method includes analyzingthe input ASM buffer to generate a set of ASM signal characteristics(step 306), and comparing the set of ASM signal characteristics with apredetermined set of characteristics 304 to detect a sound signature ifthe sets of signal characteristics are substantially similar. The methodalso includes determining if a sound signature is detected with a logicunit at step 308, and if it is not, the process is repeated at step 302.The method of detection can use the GMM approach, familiar to thoseskilled in the art. Alternatively, the method of detection can use therate of change of the ASM (or modified ASM) signal envelope to detectsudden onsets or offsets. If a sound signature is detected at step 308,then the SPL in the interior cabin of the vehicle is determined at step314 using an internal microphone input buffer at step 310. If, at step316, the SPL of the interior cabin of the vehicle is greater than apredetermined threshold 312, AND a sound signature has been detected,then at least one of three alerts are issued: a.) An audible warning318; b.) A visual warning 320; and c.) A haptic (vibrotactile) warning321. The vibrotactile mode can be very effective in conveying the localeof a target signal if multiple vibrotactors are used, e.g., one underthe front of the thigh in the seat pan cushion (signaling an approachfrom front), two in the seat back cushion (approach from the back; leftright directionality, etc.). Furthermore, vibrotactors provide a greatopportunity for conveying a speed of approach of the oncoming siren,with the use of a single transducer, by increasing the frequency and/oramplitude of the vibration to coincide with the increasing speed or“closing of the gap” of an approaching emergency vehicle.

An audible warning can be presented to the driver using at least oneloudspeaker in the vehicle cabin, or using earphone devices within ahelmet. The direction of the ambient sound, which triggered the warningcan be determined using an array of at least two ASMs mounted on thevehicle, and using active beam-forming techniques, familiar to thoseskilled in the art, to determine the dominant direction of the soundsource. Alternatively, as already mentioned, highly directional ASMmicrophones (such as “shot-gun” microphones) can be used, and thecorresponding direction of the ASM that detected the sound signaturewith the highest degree of certainty can be used to ascertain the sourcedirection.

Doppler sound cues can be used to determine a speed and a bearing ofapproaching vehicles. The Doppler shift rate (in Hz/second) can beestimated by the rate of change of a strong spectral feature. Once asonic signature has been identified, key frequency dependencies can beused to obtain a shift in the characteristic spectrum. For example FIG.5 illustrates a stored frequency spectrum of a particular sonicsignature in a chosen time frame (e.g., 100 msec) with peak frequenciesfp1 to fp6 for a stationary source (vs=0) and a stationary vehicle(vo=0). A particular sonic signature can have the key frequency spectrumshifted due to motion of the sound source (vs < >0) and/or due to motionof the vehicle (vo< >0). A frequency shift can be described as

fp2 n=fp2((v+/−vo)/(v−/+vs)), where the upper sign is used if thesource/vehicle move toward each other and the lower sign applies if theyare moving apart. If the vehicle motion is isolated using motion devices(e.g., accelerometers, GPS) then vo can be measured by these devices(e.g., vox, voy, voz, in the respective three directions), and if v(speed of sound) is known, then vs can be determined after determiningthe frequency shift from the spectrums.

When the vehicle is parked or reversing, the ASM signals are reproducedto the internal cabin via the cabin loudspeakers. In one exemplaryembodiment, the reproduced ASM signals are first processed with the ANRsystem described (to remove masking noise) as in FIG. 4, thus increasingthe situation awareness of the vehicle occupants for local soundsources, such as a child behind the car. In one exemplary configuration,when the car is reversing only the rear ASM signals (e.g. those on therear bumper) are reproduced, and the spatial cues of the ambientenvironment can be preserved within the vehicle cabin by reproducing therear-left ASM signal with the rear-left loudspeaker in the vehicle, andthe rear-right ASM signal with the rear-right loudspeaker.

FIG. 4 describes an exemplary embodiment of the Active Noise Reduction(ANR) system 303. In one exemplary embodiment, the engine microphoneinput buffer 402 is a first input signal from a microphone close to ordirectly coupled with the vehicle engine. In another exemplaryembodiment, this input signal 402 is a signal that has been stored oncomputer readable memory or automatically generated. The first inputsignal 402 is filtered by a frequency dependant adaptive filter 404,with filter coefficients h(n), to produced a filtered signal, where:h(n)=[h ₀ ,h. ₁ . . . h. _(n)].

The filtered signal is then subtracted from the ASM input buffer 406 viasubtractor 410, which in one exemplary embodiment is the signal from oneASM microphone located on the bumper of the vehicle. The resultingmodified ASM output signal 408 is then used for the sound signatureidentification system. The modified ASM output signal 408 is also usedto update the adaptive filter coefficients h(n), which in one exemplaryembodiment is updated using the LMS algorithm:ĥ(n+1)=ĥ(n)+μx(n)e*(n)

Where x(n) is a vector of the samples of the engine microphone inputbuffer 402; e(n) is a single output sample of the modified ASM outputsignal 408; and μ is a step size update coefficient.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to localization of thesound source, using either the visual indicator or a multi-channelloudspeaker audio system in the vehicle. Localization can be ascertainedin terms of an azimuthal bearing of an ambient sound source.Furthermore, a velocity of an ambient sound source can be reported tothe user with Doppler cues.

The active pass-through of the ASM signal to internal loudspeakers, viathe ANR system may be used, to increase situational awareness of thevehicle occupants to local sound sources, such as a human who may beobscured from view behind the vehicle.

An ANR system may be used to reduce the engine, chassis, wind or othernoise in the ASM signals.

None of the cited art teach a method to detect malfunction of a vehicleengine or vehicle accessory (such as a malfunctioning rotor blade(s) ona combine-harvester).

Furthermore, the related art does not teach a method or system to detecta variety of sound characteristics. The system of the present inventionis directed to detecting at least one of the following examples of“signature sounds”: —sirens; —car horns; —“impulsive” sound with a rapidonset time (or “onset rate” e.g. change in sound pressure level ofgreater than approximately 10 dB per second); —sound with a rapid offsetstopping time (e.g. greater than 10 dB per second); —sound with a suddenchange in tonal quality (e.g. a shift in the spectral kurtosis of asound, as described in FIG. 4); —sound with a rapid slewing(escalation/de-escalation) in frequency, as exemplified by the wailsetting on U.S. sirens; —motorcycle engines. The method of detection canuse the GMM approach, familiar to those skilled in the art.Alternatively, the method of detection can use the rate of change of theASM (or modified ASM) signal envelope to detect sudden onsets oroffsets. In addition, in at least one exemplary embodiment the method ofalerting the vehicle user is modified by the user's ambient sound level(i.e. the sound level of the internal vehicle cabin, or the sound levelwithin the helmet).

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a vehicle situationawareness device comprising: a notification device, where thenotification device is configured to emit a first signal; a microphone,where the microphone is configured to measure a second signal, where thesecond signal is a measurement of at least a first portion of an ambientacoustic signal; and a processor, where at least one sonic signature isidentified from at least a second portion of the second signal, andwhere when the at least one sonic signature is identified an emit signalis sent to the notification device to emit the first signal.

The notification device can be a speaker (receiver) in the vehiclepassenger compartment. For example if a sonic signature is identifiedand information is available to determine whether it is coming towardthe vehicle, an audio signal can be emitted from the speaker (receiver)identifying the source and that the source is approaching the vehicleand from which direction and at which rate. Additionally thenotification device can be a display (e.g., lights, a heads up display,video). For example if an ambulance is identified a visual display inthe instrument panel can identify the location and whether it isapproaching (e.g., light for location about a car outline, and red forapproaching and green for moving away).

In at least one exemplary embodiment the notification device is insidethe vehicle. For example a speaker in the vehicle cabin, as well asoutside (external speaker). In at least one exemplary embodiment thefirst signal can be an electronic signal sent to the notificationdevice, which in turn then emits an acoustic signal, thus either theelectronic signal or acoustic signal can be referred to as an audiosignal.

At least one exemplary embodiment monitors the vehicle's systems (e.g.,engines, brakes, window breakage). A microphone can be placedstrategically where an acoustic signal can be sampled for sonicsignatures, which identify vehicle performance. For example a normaloperating engine can be acoustically signatured (sonic signature modeltrained to identify a correctly operating engine) then monitored to lookfor abnormalities in the engine performance. For example a microphone,where the microphone is configured to measure a second signal (e.g.,acoustic signal in the engine compartment) where the second signal is ameasurement of at least a first portion of a vehicle equipment signal(e.g., the engine acoustic signal). A processor can be used to analyzeat least a second portion (e.g., time segment) of the second signal, toidentify at least one sonic signature (e.g., non normal engineperformance). For example the system can continuously sample for normalperformance and upon the lack of detection over a predetermined amountof time (e.g., 1 minute), a warning signal (e.g., emit signal) can besent to the notification device.

Note that in at least one exemplary embodiment the notification devicecan also be a video display, for example a heads up display, an LCDdisplay, an outline of the vehicle with lights around the outline so asto identify detection location, colored labeled lights to identify aswell as other visual notification systems as known by one of ordinaryskill in the art of notification.

At least one exemplary embodiment can use a second processor that takesan emit signal (e.g., engine error signal) and send a control signal tothe vehicle control system (e.g., engine processor) to modify systemoperation (e.g., vary fuel/air mixture). Many aspects of the vehicle canbe controlled in response to an emit signal, for example shifting gears,decreasing power usage, sending a remote signal, operating thewindshield wiper, and changing the headlight illumination.

At least one exemplary embodiment can include a microphone, where themicrophone is configured to measure an interior vehicle acoustic signalor an external vehicle acoustic signal where a portion of the measuredacoustic signal is used to identify sonic signatures and depending uponthe sonic signature an action is taken (e.g., abnormal tire sound, anaction to send a warning to the driver) or not taken (e.g., sonicsignature is a normal tire operation, then no action is taken).

In at least one exemplary embodiment the sonic signature is a voicecommand. For example a user can store his command “open”, where if thesonic signature “open” is identified a command is sent to a processor toopen the vehicle doors. Similar commands such as “open gas tank”, “opendoor”, “start”, “alarm”, and other such commands can be used to controlthe vehicle. At least one further exemplary embodiment to modify vehicleoperation includes one of at least opening a door, opening the trunk,opening the gas tank access panel, opening the hood, turning on theheadlights, turning on an audio alarm, and beginning audio recording.

At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of situationawareness facilitation for a vehicle driver comprising: receiving afirst acoustic signal from outside a vehicle that the driver is in andconverting the first acoustic signal into a first acoustic electronicsignal; sending the first acoustic electronic signal to a processor;matching the first acoustic electronic signal by the processor to storedreference electronic signals; and sending an acoustic message associatedwith a matched reference electronic signal to a speaker in the cabin ofthe vehicle.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures and functions of therelevant exemplary embodiments. For example, if words such as“orthogonal”, “perpendicular” are used the intended meaning is“substantially orthogonal” and “substantially perpendicular”respectively. Additionally although specific numbers may be quoted inthe claims, it is intended that a number close to the one stated is alsowithin the intended scope, i.e. any stated number (e.g., 20 mils) shouldbe interpreted to be “about” the value of the stated number (e.g., about20 mils).

Thus, the description of the invention is merely exemplary in natureand, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the inventionare intended to be within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departurefrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A vehicle situation awareness device for a vehicle comprising: anotification device in the vehicle configured to emit an audio signal;an internal microphone configured to measure an internal acoustic signalin the vehicle; an ambient microphone configured to measure an ambientacoustic signal external to the vehicle; and a processor configured to:determine an internal sound pressure level (SPL) in the vehicle based onthe internal acoustic signal, identify at least one sonic signature fromthe ambient acoustic signal, and when the at least one sonic signatureis identified, determine whether to send an emit signal to thenotification device to emit the audio signal based on the internal SPL.2. The awareness device according to claim 1, where the notificationdevice includes a receiver.
 3. The awareness device according to claim1, where the notification device further includes a video display. 4.The awareness device according to claim 1, where the audio signalincludes at least one of the ambient acoustic signal, a voice message ora non-voice message.
 5. The awareness device according to claim 1, wherethe processor adjusts a reproduction SPL of the audio signal based onthe internal SPL.
 6. A vehicle situation awareness device for a vehiclecomprising: a notification device in the vehicle configured to emit analert signal including an audio signal; an internal microphoneconfigured to measure an internal acoustic signal in the vehicle; anexternal microphone configured to measure a vehicle equipment signal;and a processor configured to: determine an internal sound pressurelevel (SPL) in the vehicle based on the internal acoustic signal,identify at least one sonic signature from the vehicle equipment signal,and when the at least one sonic signature is identified, determinewhether to send an emit signal to the notification device to emit theaudio signal based on the internal SPL.
 7. The awareness deviceaccording to claim 6, where the notification device includes a receiver.8. The awareness device according to claim 6, where the notificationdevice includes a video display.
 9. The awareness device according toclaim 6, where the alert signal is an input to a second processor, thealert signal used by the second processor to affect an operation of thevehicle.
 10. The awareness device according to claim 9, where theoperation is at least one of shifting gears, decreasing power usage,sending a remote signal, operating a windshield wiper, and changing aheadlight illumination.
 11. A vehicle situation awareness device for avehicle comprising: a notification device in the vehicle configured toemit an alert signal to a first processor, the first processor used tomodify an operation of the vehicle responsive to the alert signal; aninternal microphone configured to measure an interior vehicle acousticsignal in the vehicle; an external microphone configured to measure anexternal vehicle acoustic signal; and a second processor, configured to:determine an interior sound pressure level (SPL) in the vehicle based onthe interior vehicle acoustic signal; identify at least one sonicsignature from at least one of the interior vehicle acoustic signal orthe external vehicle acoustic signal, and when the at least one sonicsignature is identified, determine whether to send an emit signal to thenotification device to emit the alert signal based on the interior SPL.12. The awareness device according to claim 11, where the at least onesonic signature is a vocal command.
 13. The awareness device accordingto claim 12, where the alert signal uniquely corresponds to the voicecommand.
 14. The awareness device according to claim 11, where theoperation includes one of at least opening a door, opening a trunk,opening a gas tank access panel, opening the hood, turning onheadlights, turning on an audio alarm, and beginning an audio recording.15. A method of situation awareness facilitation for a vehicle driver ofa vehicle, the method comprising: receiving an internal acoustic signalfrom inside the vehicle and converting the internal acoustic signal toan internal acoustic electronic signal; receiving an ambient acousticsignal from outside the vehicle and converting the ambient acousticsignal into an ambient acoustic electronic signal; determining, by aprocessor, an internal sound pressure level (SPL) in the vehicle basedon the internal acoustic electronic signal; matching, by the processor,the ambient acoustic electronic signal to one or more stored referenceelectronic signals; and determining whether to send an acoustic messageassociated with a matched reference electronic signal to a speaker inthe vehicle based on the internal SPL.